February 19, 2015
Meeting Minutes
Charles County Board of Fire and Rescue Commission
1. The Charles County Board of Fire and Rescue Commission held their regular scheduled meeting in the Charles County Commissioner’s meeting room in the Charles County Government Building. The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Chairman G.O. Lyon. Board members present were Charles Perry, John Conlon, Edward Holland III, Thomas Edwards, and Bill Deer.
2. The minutes of January 15, 2015 were reviewed. Mr. Deer stated that on #20, it should read Mr. Collins was also chairman of the EMS Executive Committee. Mr. Deer voted to approve with the amendment, and Mr. Perry seconded the motion. All voted in favor to approve.
3. Mr. Thomas Edwards stated that the LOSAP as of December 31, 2014 was $13,855,178.99. That is a decrease in value of $287,216.33 from November 30, 2014. The LOSAP value as of January 31, 2015 was $13,731,296.69. That is a decrease in value of $123,882.30 from January 31, 2015. Mr. Edwards also stated that on Tuesday, February 24, 2015, there will be a hearing on the LOSAP at the County Building.
4. Mr. John Filer represented the EMS. Mr. Filer gave the 2014 End of Year Review report. The total number of requests for Fire Services were 12,834 and for EMS Services were 25,868.
President Robin Windsor and Chief Mark Kaufman from Dentsville gave a written report and update on the recruitment and retention for their company. Mr. Holland made a motion requesting company 15 go back to the DES and the Association to see if there is a way to work together to come up a plan to increase their statistics and Mr. Perry seconded the motion. After careful discussion, Mr. Holland withdrew his motion. Chairman G.O. Lyon made a motion requesting that company 15 go back to the DES and the Association to see if there is a way to work together and come up with a plan to improve their services. Mr. Holland seconded the motions. All voted in favor to approve.
5. Mr. Thomas Edwards read a Letter of Information from Potomac Heights informing the board they had received approval in August 2014 to replace Engine 74. The final price of the new unit was $106,814.60. The new engine 74 was placed into service on February 5, 2015. The old engine 74 was placed in service as B-7 on the same date. The old B-7 will be advertised for sale for $5000.00 or best offer.
6. Mr. Thomas Edwards read a Letter of Information from Cobb Island informing the board they had received approval in February 2013 to replace Pumper/Tanker 6. The final cost of the new unit was $563,164.00. The new Pumper/Tanker was put in service in December 2014. They are in the process of selling the old pumper.
7. Mr. Thomas Edwards read a Letter of Information from Bel Alton informing the board of the final report regarding the purchase of Rescue Squad 10 for the total price of $788,412.00.
8. Mr. Bill Deer read a letter of intent from CCMICU to submit Professional SWOT analysis with conclusions that will address and support vehicle and building modification request.
9. Mr. Mike Roberts represented Hughesville brought in a Letter of Information informing the board that they will spend $1200.00 for Lawrence Abell & Associates for a perculation evaluation of the Hughesville Volunteer Fire Department existing property. Mr. Edwards asked that he bring a Letter of Information to the Executive Meeting next month.
10. Mr. Bill Deer read a Letter of Intent from Dentsville informing the board they have started the process to replace their current utility. He also read a Letter of Information from Dentsville for an auto loader stretcher for their ambulance.
11. Mr. Thomas Edwards informed the board that Hughesville Command Unit is now in service and the total price was $42,674.00.
12. Mr. Bill Deer read a Letter of Information from Cobb Island informing the board that both new units replacing Ambulances 68 and 69 have been placed into service for the total price of $215,216.00.
13. Mr. Bill Deer stated that Waldorf’s new ambulance units 39, 399, and 129 have not been delivered yet. The chassis is due to be delivered end of month
14. Chief Hayden informed the board that Vehicle 3 for Waldorf is now being painted.
15. Chief Hayden also informed the board that Truck 12 for Waldorf has been delivered and should be in service in about two months.
16. Chief Lisa Yates stated that Newburg 148 is supposed to be delivered on March 24 and it will then be sent to Elkridge. Expected to be put in service the middle of April.
17. Mr. Bill Deer stated that the Getec are waiting for the sim cards from Verizon.
18. Cobb Island’s inflatable boat is ready and they are in the process of training their members.
19. Chairman G.O. Lyon informed the board that he and Mr. Edwards had been contacted by Dave Eicholtz, County Finance Director, requesting a meeting to discuss his concerns with the use of escrow accounts to hold monies for county-wide Fire and EMS programs (i.e. – scholarship, cadet, recruitment and retention, special operations, coordinator, etc.). That meeting was held on January 22nd and included Chairman Lyon, Dave Eicholtz, Bill DeAtley, Bill Deer (EMS Executive Committee), Tom Edwards (Fire Executive Committee), and Lynn Gilroy at County Finance Department. Mr. Eicholtz’s concern was that the current practice was not specifically outlined in CH.54. He agreed that the programs in question were legitimate and best done on a county-wide basis, but was concerned that there was no documentation authorizing his office to do it. He was not questioning the use of the funds but more the mechanism with which it was being done. After some discussion Mr. Eicholtz and Mr. DeAtley agreed that a Memorandum of Understanding from the Fire Association, EMS Association and the Board of Fire and Rescue requesting and authorizing the County Finance Department to create such account would satisfy his concerns. Fire and EMS association representatives are to contact legal counsel (R. Carrico) to have a draft MOU drawn up so it can be presented to the Associations and the Board of Fire and Rescue for discussion and approval. If approved it will be signed by all 3 parties and presented to the County for their approval and signature.
20. Chairman Lyon stated that he had checked into Mr. Holland’s request to have work sessions before our regular meetings as had been done in the past and discussed the issues involved with him. Mr. Holland stated that after the discussion he was rescinding his former request.
21. Mr. Thomas Edwards stated that Robert Buck of Benedict passed away last month.
22. Mr. Thomas Edwards stated that Charles Wills is out of the hospital and doing well.
23. Mr. Thomas Edwards motioned to adjourn, Mr. Bill Deer seconded the motion. All members voted in favor of the motion. The meeting ended at 8:09p.m.
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Debbie Green, Secretary Date G.O. Lyon, Chairman
Approved and electronically signed 03/19/2015